In a rare instance in Indian politics, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who is facing revolt from a few ministers and legislators, on Saturday shed tears publicly at his plight.
The 66-year-old, known for his short temper and as a strict disciplinarian, is at most times stern faced. He struggled for decades to bring the BJP to power in the state.
On Saturday morning, he shocked television viewers as he turned misty eyed answering questions on the demand for his removal by dissidents led by Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy, a billionaire iron ore mine owner from Bellary.
In a choked voice, he wondered what wrong he had done to find himself in such a situation, particularly when large parts of Karnataka had been devastated by floods and around a million people were waiting for rehabilitation.
“I apologise to the people of the state for this situation,” he said. Yeddyurappa’s 17-month-old government remained paralysed for the 13th day on Saturday as Janardhana Reddy, his elder brother and Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy, and their loyalists demanded the chief minister’s removal.
Yeddyurappa, under pressure from his party central leaders, has agreed to almost all demands of the Reddy brothers.
Dissidents reject CM’s claims of compromise
Meanwhile, G Janardhana Reddy on Saturday rubbished Yeddyurappa’s claims that a compromise had been reached.
“From the beginning, I have been saying that in the interest of BJP and Karnataka, there should be a better leadership,” he said. “I expect our central leaders to the right decision in the next two to three days.”
On Yeddyurappa’s statement in Delhi that he has accepted a compromise formula proposed by party leaders, Reddy said: “Has it been discussed in front of you?”
